Ingrezza (valbenazine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain movement disorders. The drug comes as an oral capsule. It’s usually taken once per day.
Specifically, Ingrezza is used in adults to treat:
The active ingredient in Ingrezza is valbenazine. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
Ingrezza comes as a capsule that you swallow. It belongs to a group of drugs called vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors.
This article describes the dosages of Ingrezza, as well as its strengths and how to take it. For more comprehensive information about this drug, see this in-depth article about Ingrezza.
Ingrezza has a starting dosage that’s used for the first week of treatment to get your body used to the medication. After this first week, your doctor will increase your dosage until it reaches the recommended maintenance dosage. (This is the dosage you’ll likely take for the remainder of treatment with Ingrezza.)
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Ingrezza’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more details.
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage |
|---|---|---|
| tardive dyskinesia | 40 milligrams (mg) once daily | 80 mg once daily |
| chorea due to Huntington’s disease | 40 mg once daily | 80 mg once daily |
What is Ingrezza’s form?
Ingrezza comes as a capsule that you swallow. It also comes as a capsule (Ingrezza Sprinkle) that you can open and sprinkle its contents over soft food if you have trouble swallowing pills.
What strengths does Ingrezza come in?
Both Ingrezza capsules and Ingrezza Sprinkle capsules are available in three strengths:
- 40 mg
- 60 mg
- 80 mg
What are the usual dosages of Ingrezza?
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for tardive dyskinesia
You will likely begin your treatment with a starting dosage of 40 mg taken once per day. After the first week, your doctor will increase your dosage to the maintenance dosage. For most people, the maintenance dosage is 80 mg taken once per day.
Your doctor may prescribe a lower maintenance dosage of 40 or 60 mg per day if you have certain health conditions, take certain medications, or experience side effects from Ingrezza.
The maximum dosage of Ingrezza for tardive dyskinesia is 80 mg daily.
Dosage for chorea due to Huntington’s disease
You will likely begin your treatment with a starting dosage of 40 mg taken once per day. After 2 weeks, your doctor will increase your dosage to 60 mg once per day for 2 weeks. Then they’ll increase your dosage again to the maintenance dosage. For most people, the maintenance dosage is 80 mg taken once per day.
Your doctor may prescribe a lower maintenance dosage of 40 or 60 mg per day if you have certain health conditions, take certain medications, or experience side effects from Ingrezza.
The maximum dosage of Ingrezza for chorea due to Huntington’s disease is 80 mg daily.
Is Ingrezza used long term?
Yes, Ingrezza is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Dosage adjustments
Ingrezza is primarily broken down by certain enzymes (a type of protein) in your liver. If these enzymes don’t work well, the amount of Ingrezza in your body could get too high. This increases your risk of side effects.
To help prevent the drug from building up in your body, your doctor may lower your dosage of Ingrezza if:
- You have liver problems.
- Your body makes less of a certain liver enzyme called CYP2D6 than is usual.
- You take medications that decrease how well the CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 liver enzymes work.*
* Taking a medication with other drugs may affect how the medication works. These effects are called drug interactions. Read more about possible Ingrezza interactions.
The dosage of Ingrezza you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- your liver health
- your health history and that of your family
- your other medications
For more details, see “Dosage adjustments.”
Ingrezza and Ingrezza Sprinkle capsules are taken once daily with or without food. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see these tips for how to swallow a pill.
An alternative way to take Ingrezza Sprinkle capsules is to pull open the capsule and sprinkle its contents over a small amount (about a tablespoon) of soft food, such as yogurt, applesauce, or pudding. Stir the contents of the capsule into the soft food and swallow the mixture immediately. Then drink a glass of water.
Do not crush or chew Ingrezza Sprinkle capsules or sprinkle their contents into milk or water. But Ingrezza Sprinkle capsules can be swallowed whole with water (like regular Ingrezza capsules) if you choose to take them that way.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Ingrezza in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
Also, see this information about Ingrezza storage, expiration, and disposal.
If you miss a dose of Ingrezza, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time. You should not take two doses of Ingrezza at once. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Ingrezza on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Ingrezza than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Ingrezza
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Ingrezza. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
